Alfred chrtstophe koerner



(No Model.)

A. 0. KOERNER. BXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

Patented Deb 13,1887. 4

UNITED STATES PATENT OF -IC ALFRED 'oHeIsroPHE KoEnNEa, OF PARIS, FRANCE, AssiGNoR TO THE HOTCHKISS" ORDNANCE COMPANY, (LIMITED,) OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

NEXPLOSIVE- PROJECTILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part; of iletterh Patent No. 374,874. dated December re,- 1887.

Application filed'Scptcmhcr I, 1887. Serial No. 249,000. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, ALFRED OHRIsroPHE KOERNER, a subject of the Queen of England,

residing at Paris, in the Republic of France,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive Projectiles, fully described and represented in the following specification, and the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to the construction of explosive projectiles for'ordnance, it being the object of the invention to insure the maxi mum regularity of systematic fragmentation by the explosion of the bursting charge. This object is attained by certain peculiarities of construction, which will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out.

The improvements constituting the invention are fullyillustrated in the accompanying drawings; in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, parts being shown in elevation, of an explosive pro jeetile or shell constructed according to-my invention. .Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the frangible missiles with which the shell is loaded. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the same, showing also one of the loose balls; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modification, whieh'will be hereinafter referred to.

Referring to said figures, it is to be under-- stood that the body of the projectile consists of a tubular part, A, preferably made of steel, and provided with internal longitudinal grooves a, to facilitate breakage upon the explosion of the internal charge. The front end of the tubular portion A is closed by a nosepiece, 3, which is tapped for the fuse 4, which is of the ordinary construction. The base of the tubular portion A is closed by a disk, 5, which is screwed or otherwise fastened in position. A band, 6, of soft brass or copper, encircles the projectile near its base and serves to take the riding of the gun to insure rotation.

As shownin Fig. 1, thebursting charge 9 of the projectile is located at theforward end and communicates directly withthe fuse, while the rear and main part of the interior ofthe itself, are to be scattered by the explosion.-

These missiles consist of star shaped pieces 7,

of flangible metal and leaden or iron balls '8.

The pieces 7are formed with five or more arms or branches, according to the diameter of the projectile, and these branches are so formed, as best shown in Fig. 4, as to be greatly weakened at the points of their junction-with the central part or body of the star, as shown at 10, so that they will readily-be broken ed by the shock. occasionedby the cxplosionof the charge 9, thereby dividing the stars into practically uniform fragments. In placing the star-shaped pieces 7 in the projectile their arms are mismatched, as shown in Fig. 1, and thus cavities are formed,which serve. toreceive the balls& The'arms of the pieces 7 are slightly countersunk, as shown, to afford I seatsfor the balls. The pieces 7 and the balls, when thus assembled, form a practically solid column of sufiieient strength to withstand the shock of the discharge of the gun and prevent the projectile from being deformed -thereby.

:The interstices between the pieces 7 and the balls 8 are preferably filled with powdered charcoal or other smoke-prod ucing substance, in order to cause asmueh smoke as possible to facilitate observing the bursting of the projeetile in the air.

The bursting charge 9, instead ofbeing lo cated in the front part of the projectile, may be located in the rear or base portion, as shown in Fig.5. In this case communication between the charge and the fuseet is established 1 through a central tube, 11, passing through openings in the pieces 7.

Having thus described the improvements constituting my invention, whatl claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 'Patent, 1s- 1 The hcrein-described explosive projectile,

the internal longitudinal grooves, a,'the nose-- composed of the tubular portion A, having 9 leee 3, flise 4, base-piece 5, hand 6, of soft In testimeny Whereef I have hereunto set my \etaJ, star-shaped pieesfi, made of frangible hand in the presenee of two subscribing witmetal, and havingv their arms weakened to messes.

militate breaking, balls 8, arrangeli between ALFRED CHRISTOPHE KOERNERQ 1e arms of the star-shaped pieces 7, and the Witnesses:

ursting charge 9, altsubstantially as de- Row. M. HOOPER, I

cribed, and for the purposes set forth. Jos. 13.. BOURNETJ 

